This blog has nothing to do with gorillas (though I love 'em)...fellow bloggers have inspired me to share vintage images of Disneyland from my personal collection. But don't be surprised if you see something from a World's Fair, Knott's Berry Farm, or someplace else that is cool!

Saturday, September 01, 2012

(I will be out of town for the weekend, so it might take me longer than usual to respond to your comments. Enjoy your Labor Day holiday!)

I was lucky enough to find a nice bunch of vintage Las Vegas slides, showing Fremont Street's "Glitter Gulch" at night, when it really amazed!

The Golden Nugget had twice the neon and lights of other casinos, since it was right on the corner. That's two store fronts for the price of one! Rose Maddox is the entertainer... I happen to have a "Maddox Brothers and Rose" CD, and Rose was considered one of the most influential hillbilly/roots/country singers of her time. I'm not even really a fan of country music as a rule (don't take it personally, country fans, it's all a matter of taste), but I like Rose!

Right next door is this massive neon sign for the Lucky Casino. The font used on this sign has become associated with classic Las Vegas to the point where you can find similar examples in font packages today.

Who needs street lights when the buildings were so dazzling? Down at the end of the block is The Mint, with The Horseshoe adjacent to it. There's just something about these old over-the-top amazing displays of signage that can't be beat, even by the Vegas hotels and casinos of today! Imagine seeing them as they flashed and animated. Wowee!

Major, you are right, there was nothing to equal this sight in my memory. I remember Fremont Street before it became an "experience".

The lights were hot enough that you could feel them radiating at street level, the gaps between buildings at alleys etc. were cooler. Also, the neon tubes buzzed and made a sort of background noise to the sidewalk racket. I don't think there will ever be anything like it again. Just raw unashamed crass, stunning to behold.

@Melissa, +1 for Tiffany Case, but no love for poor Plenty O'Toole (who drowned in the pool), or Bambi and Thumper? One of the best Bonds, and the last with Sean Connery, as I recall. And the Bond car was a big fat 1973 Ford Mustang. I watch the film now just to see the scenes of Vegas-That-Once-Was.